Strapless brassiere



Feb. 17, 1953 F. slDER s'rRAPLEss BRAssIERE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 9. 1952 INVENTR. FRANCES SIDER A TTOENEB/ Feb. I7, 1953 F. SIDER sTRAPLEss BRAssrERE 4 sheets-sheet 2 Filed Oct. 9. 1952 FIG, 2.

INVEN TOR. FRANCES SIDER A T TBNE Y Feb. 1'7, 1953 F. slDER sTRAPLEss BRAssIERx-z- 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 9. 1952 FIG. 3l

INVENTOR. FRANCES SIDIRV ATToz/vfy Feb. 17, 1953 F. slDER sTRAPLEss BRASSIERE` 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed 001;. 9. 1952 FIG. 6.

INVENTOR. FRANCES SIDER BY W' f Patented Feb. 17, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 Claims.

This invention relates to strapless brassires.

Broadly, it is an object of the invention to provide a strapless brassire that will sup-port and uplift the breasts and constantly retain the breasts centrally within the breast pockets.

More particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide a brassire that, in addition to the foregoing object, will hug the body beneath the breasts and cause the lower non-stretchable cup portions to properly encompass, support and contain the breasts so that they assume a natural and firm position within the brassire cups with the nipples lying at the proper central points of the cups.

A further object of the invention is to cause the inside neck portions of the halter brassire cups to constantly and gently hug the body of the wearer without causing uncomfortable pressure.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a strapless brassire that will uplift, mold, hold in a natural position and continually control the inserted breasts within the breast pockets and which will retain its original shape and remain rm after repeated washings.

Another object of the invention is to provide a strapless brassire which will aid in controlling the soft part of the midriff of the wearer and help to control the diaphragm.

Still another object is to provide a strapless brassire which may be worn with and without a removable halter neckpiece.

A further object of the invention is to provide a strapless brassire manufactured of stretchable and non-stretchable materials creating a resilient construction and eliminating pressure of weight on the shoulders, avoiding undue pressure and marks directly underneath the breast allowing normal breathing while wearing the strapless brassire.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference is had to the following detailed description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a front perspective view of a bandeau type of halter brassire.

Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of a modied bandeau type of a strapless brassire with a removable halter neckpiece.

Fig. 3 is a front perspective view of another modified strapless brassire, similar in construction to the brassire shown in Fig. 2, except that it'has a long line and also has a removable halter neckpiece.

Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken through line iii-6 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 5 is an. enlarged inside view of the upper portion of a cup showing the preferred means used to detach the halter from the brassire.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of still another CII modification of a strapless brassire with spirals circumscribing the breast pockets.

Referring to the drawings, numeral I represents a strapless halter brassire comprising opposed front lower panels II having horizontal stretchy a pair of breast pockets I2, a halter portion I3, opposed side panels Iii of .non-stretchable material, and back opposed elastic panels I stretchable horizontally. Each oi the breast pockets I2 comprises an upper portion I6, prefer.- ably made of non-stretchable material, and a lower portion II comprising a front layer I8, a backing material I9, both of non-stretchable material, and two thicknesses of material and 2l cut on the bias therebetween. The upper portion I6 is joined. to the lower portion I'I by stitching 22 providing an arcuate seam 23 substantially around the center of the breast pocket I2. The top edges 24 of materials 20 and 2| follow the upper stitching 25, as shown in Fig. 1. Stitching 25 and the lower adjacent lines of stitching 25' which are about one-fourth of an inch apart pass through the iront layer I8 and the two layers 2G and 2I, as best shown in Fig. 4.

Between each of the outer ends of the front lower panels il and breast pockets I2 and the side panels i4, a long narrow pocket 26 is provided, within which a iiexible spiral 21 is housed. At the lower end o1" pocket 26, stitching 28 terminates the pocket, leaving the original .exibility of the material below stitching 28.

Pockets 25 and spirals 2l extend arcuately around the outside of the breast pockets I2, with the upper end 29 of spiral 21 at the upper end of the vertical medial line of the breast pocket i2, thus providing a leXible suspension for the breast pocket I2, and the breast lying therein. The circumscribing by the spiral 21 of the breast pocket insures4 that the breast will remain within the breast pocket while the flexibility of the spiral 27 with its upper terminal 29 upon the vertical medial line gently aids in supporting the weight of the breast causing the breast to fall and remain in a natural and firmly held position within the breast pocket. The curvature of the spiral 21 towards the vertical medial line of the wearer provides a mild outward tension to be exerted upon the inner upper portion of the breast pocket insuring a desired degree of breast separation. The flexibility of the spiral 21 creates a gentle and constant upward tension which aids in supporting the breasts and takes up a large part of any tension or strain that may be exerted upon the halter neckpiece I3.

Side panels I4 of non-stretchable material are integral with the'halter neckpiece I3 around the neck of the wearer. The central part of the halter I3, that is, the portion falling at the back of the neck of the wearer, has a horizontally stretchable small elastic `band 30 to relieve any undue strain which might `be created and permits freedom of movement of the neck and head Without restriction. The non-stretchable material of the halter necizpiece I3, the upperouter portions f the side ,panels I4 and back panels I5, and the upper inner portions of the material IB of the breast pockets I2 are shirred and stitched to elas- Y tic backing bands or tape 3l, 32 s'tretchable horizontally. It should be particularly 'noted 'that the non-stretchable fabric of the upper .portion of the side panels I which lie ab-ove the elastic tape 32 is gathered or shirred along its :entire length, but to a greater extent beginning at the inner upper end of the .back panel I5, since beginning at that portion-'and adjacent the breast pocket greater stretchability is desirable because that portion `of the body is generally eshier, thus controlling and permitting greater stretchability of that portion of the garment retaining the flesh within the border of the material. The upper inner portions of the material I5 of the vbreast vpockets are also shirred to a greater extent than Vthe halter neckpiece to permit greater stretchability than the halter neckpiece so that such portion hugs the i'iesh around the upper inner breasts at the front and permits greater play `by the flexible upper ends '29 vof the spirals 2i. 'Of course, the degree of stretchability is 'limited :by the amount o'f shirring of the non-stretchable material which is shirred to a predetermined amount so that it will stretch within certain calculated limits only.

The sectional bias cut multi-plies of material of the lower portions II of the breast pockets aid in supporting and uplifting 'the breasts since such The bottom edge of the non-stretchable material of panels I4 are also slightly gathered to allow for additional stretchability within predetermined limits. Y

It lwill thus be seen that with elastic Vtapes 3|, 32 and 33, flexibility Vis provided around all of the outer edges 'of the entire strapless brassire. If desired, vertical spirals, similar lto spirals Y'I,

Ymay be inserted in Vertical pockets (not shown) in the front central part of the brassire, that is, where the two opposed panels `I I are joinedat their central edges and at the central portions of the back panels I5. Y

Fig. 2 is of identical constructionas Fig. 1 eX- cept that the halter neckpiece I I3 is removable by providing small buttons 34, 36 at the inner upper portion of the breast pockets, as shown in Figs. 2 and5, and-providing coacting buttonholes 36, 3l' at each end of the halter neckpiece I I 3. With strapless gowns or 'bathing suits, the halter neckpiece IIS' may be readily removed and the brassire remains a'complete strapless lunit and will stay up without the aid of the halter neck- =piece.

YSishcws a long line strapless brassire of practically the identical construction as that shown in Fig. I2 except that the frontcentral panel 2I`I, the side panels 214 and theback panels 2I5 vare longer than the corresponding panels of Figs.

'of the brassire.

Ythe opposed panel SI5.

4 1 and 2, being substantially waist length. The long line strapless brassire shown controls the diaphragm and holds the soft part of the midriff rmly yet without restricting the movement of the ligaments.

Fig. 6' is another Varied construction oi a strapless brassire and is shown without a halter neckpiece. However, a removable halter neckpiece `may be vadded similar to the structure shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 5.A This strapless brassire generally comprises a front panel iii stretchable horizontally, a pair of breast pockets 352 of a structure somewhat similar to the pockets heretofore described for the brassires shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, except for 'the circuinscribing spirals as will be hereinafter described and a change in the lower portion of the breast pocket, and body encircling elastic panels 5I5, stretchable horizontally as indicated Vby the double-headed arrows. Circumscribing each of the breast pockets BIZ at the sides and top, a single spiral S27, flexible in virtually all directions, is housed within a long narrow pocket 32E extending from the lowermost edge of the brassire, around the outer side, upper circumferential edge and inner side of thebreast pocket, terminating again at the lowermost edge of the brassire adjacent the vertical central line of the brassire, as shown in Fig. 6. The single spiral 321 is positionedaround the entire breast, except the lower portion, in an inverted 'U very much like a croquet wicket with the terminals thereof lodged at the lower-most line The central arcuate portion of therspirals support the breast pockets providing a ilexible suspension for the pocket and the breast lying therein. Since the spiral virtually circumscribes the pocket and the front elastic panel SI I hugs the bodybelow Ythe "breast, it is obvious that the breast will remain and be securely lodged within the breast pocket while the iiexibility oi the supporting spiral will exibly and gently provide a constant upward tension which aids in supporting the weight of the breast in a more natural position. The inner legs of the two opposed spirals are on either side of the vertical medial line between the breasts so that the spiral legs are adjacent one another thus insuring a desired degree o'f lbreast separation. The fabric along the 'arcuate portion of the spirals, that is, at the upper part of thebreast pockets, is gathered slightly so that movement of the spiralY is not restricted. The upper part of the lower portion of the breast pocket from the inner end follows substantially the horizontal medial lineV to approximately the center of the pocket and then arcs downwardly and angularly to the bottom line of the pocket adjacent the outer end of the pocket. Elastic tape 332 is'attached at the back of the upper part of the panels Sie, across the upper portions of both breast pockets and along the upper part ci Another elastic tape 333 is attached behind the bottom edge of panels 3i 5 and front panel `t thus providing flexibility around all of the outer edges of the brassire. If desired, short vertical spirals (not shown) may be 'provided at the back of the body encircling panels 355. At the back central part ci panels '315, Vthe ends are-provided with cooperating hooks and one or more Vertical rows of eyes for adjustably fastening the brassire upon the wearer, as is well known in the art. v

Itis'jobvious that various changes and modificat'i'ons may be made in the details of construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the general spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. A strapless brassire comprising a lower front horizontally stretchable elastic panel, breast pockets, each comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion comprising a front, a back and ller members interposed between said front and back, the adjacent edges of the upper and lower portions being secured together, the lower edges of the breast pockets being secured to the upper edge of the front elastic panel, body encircling elastic panels attached to the youter ends of the front elastic panel and to the outer side edge portions of the respective breast pockets, complementary fastening means on the free end portions of said body encircling panels, narrow pockets arranged vertically at the outer ends and the intermediate portions of the front elastic panel and also at the sides and top of each breast pocket, and an inverted U-shaped spiral in each of said narrow pockets for supporting the breast pockets iirmly against the body of the wearer.

2. A strapless brassire comprising a front panel that is horizontally stretchable, breast pockets, each comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion comprising a front, a back and ller members interposed between said front and back, the adjacent edges of the upper and lower portions being secured together, the lower edges of the breast pockets and the upper edge of the front panel being curved and secured together, the upper edge of the front panel converging upwardly at the center of the brassire between said breast pockets, the inner side edge portions of the breast pockets being secured to the respective converging edge portions of the intermediate portion of the front panel, body encircling elastic panels attached to the outer ends of said front panel and to the outer side edge portions of the respective breast pockets, complementary fastening means on the free end portions of said body encircling panels, narrow pockets extending along the outer ends of the front panel and the outer side edges of the breast pockets, and a spiral reinforcing element arranged in each narrow pocket for supporting the breast pockets iirmly against the body of the wearer.

3. A strapless brassire comprising a front panel that is horizontally stretchable, breast pockets, each comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion comprising a front, a back and ller members interposed between said front and back, the adjacent edges of the upper and lower portions being secured together, the lower edges of the breast pockets and the upper edge of the front panel being curved and secured together, the upper edge of the front panel converging upwardly at the center of the brassire between said breast pockets, the inner side edge portions of the breast pockets being secured to the respective converging edge portions of the intermediate portion of the front panel, body encircling elastic panels attached to the outer ends of said front panel and to the outer side edge portions of the respective breast pockets, complementary fastening means on the free end portions of said body encircling panels, narrow pockets extending along the outer ends of the front panel and the outer side edges of the breast pockets, a spiral reinforcing element arranged in each narrow pocket for supporting the breast pockets firmly against the body of the wearer, the upper edges of the breast pockets being shirred, and elastic tapes arranged therein.

6 4. A brassire comprising a front panel that is horizontally stretchable,l breast pockets, each comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion comprising a front, a back and ller members interposed between said front and back, the adjacent edges of the upper and lower' portions being secured together, the lower edges of the breast pockets and the upper edge of the front panel converging upwardly at the center of the brassire between said breast pockets, the inner side edge portions of the breast pockets being secured to the respective converging edge portions of the intermediate portion of the vfront panel, body encircling elastic panels attached to the outer ends of said front panel and to the outer side edge portions of the respective breast pockets, complementary -fastening means on the free end portions of said body encircling panels, narrow pockets extending along the outer ends of the front panel and the outer side edges of the breast pockets, a spiral reinforcing element arranged in each narrow pocket for supporting the breast pockets iirmly against the body of the wearer, the upper edges of the breast pockets being shirred, elastic tapes arranged therein, and a halter strap connected to the upper outer corners of the breast pockets.

5. A brassire comprising a front panel that is horizontally stretchable, breast pockets, each comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion comprising a front, a back and ller members interposed between said front and back, the adjacent edges of the upper and lower portions being secured together, the lower edges of the breast pockets and the upper edge of the front panel being curved and secured together, the lower edges of the breast pockets converging upwardly and inwardly toward the center of the brassire between said breast pockets, the inner side edge portions of the breast pockets being secured to the respective converging edge portions of the intermediate portion of the front panel, body encircling elastic panels attached to the outer ends of the front panel and to the outer side edge portions of the respective breast pockets, complementary fastening means on the free ends of the body encircling panels, narrow pockets extending along the outer ends of the front panel and the outer side edges of the breast pockets, and a spiral reinforcing element arranged in each narrow pocket for supporting the breast pockets firmly against the body of the wearer.

6. A brassire comprising a front panel that is horizontally stretehable, breast pockets, each comprising an upper portion and a lower portion, said lower portion comprising a front, a back and ller members interposed between said front and back, the adjacent edges of the upper and lower portions being secured together, the lower edges of the breast pockets and the upper edge of the front panel being curved and secured together, the lower edges of the breast pockets converging upwardly and inwardly toward the center of the brassire between said breast pockets, the inner side edge portions of the breast pockets being secured to the respective converging edge portions of the intermediate portion of the front panel, body encircling elastic panels attached to the outer ends of the front panel and to the outer side edge portions of the respective breast pockets, complementary fastening means on the free ends of the body encircling panels, narrow pockets arranged vertically at the outer ends and intermediate portions of the front panel :and also at Vthe :sides and top Lof .each breast Vpocketfand -an inverted -U-.shaped spiral vin each Aoffsaid narrow pockets circumscribingsaid breast pockets except at the .lower -edge Aportion thereof for supporting the -breast pockets .rmly against vthe .body 4oi? the wearer.

-"1. A brassire comprising a frontpanel that yis horizontally stretchable, lbreast pockets, each -zcomprising an upper portion and a vlower portion, 'said lower portion comprising .a front, a back and ller members interposed between said front and back, the adjacent edges of the upper and lower portions being `secured together, the lower edges of `the breast pockets and the upper ledge of Athe front panel being curved and .secured together, 4the lower edges of the ybreast pockets .converging upwardly and inwardly toward the -center of the brassire between said breast attached to the outer ends .of the front panel and .to the .outer side edge portions of the respective 'breast pockets, complementary fastening means Von the free ends of tbe body encircling panels,

narrow Apockets arranged yvertically at the outer #ends vand intermediate portions of the front panel and also at the sides and top of each breast pocket, fan inverted yU-shaped .spiral in each of ,said narrow pockets circumscribing said breast .pockets except at vthe lower edge portion thereof for supporting the breast pockets iirmly against the body of the wearer, and a halter strap secured Lat its Yends to the upper outer corners of the breast pockets.

FRANCES SIDER.

,REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the lfile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,147,375 .Lazzari Feb. 14, 1939 2,239,056 Schiffer Apr. 22, 1941 '2,457,989 Ettleson Jan. 4, 1949 2,483,274 Gluckin Sept. 27, 1949 '2,579,545 Cadous Bec. 25, 1951 

